José Maya y Alejandra Hernández

José Maya, dancing

José Maya (Madrid, 1983) is one of the most powerful and unusual dancers on the current flamenco scene. Born into a gypsy family with a rich artistic tradition, his illustrious ancestors include the dancer Fernanda Romero, the singer Rafael Romero El Gallina, the painter Antonio Maya and the singer Gabriel Moreno. He started dancing at the age of just nine, sharing a stage with Antonion Canales and Enrique Morente, and he joined companies like those of El Güito and Manolete. He won awards very early, such as the Pavón Cup and the Albéniz Theatre Choreography Event, and he has worked with Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, Estrella Morente, Farruquito and Arcángel. His visceral, deeply expressive style combines roots and technique, and he has starred in shows like Al natural, Latente, Maya and Liturgia, presented in Europe and across the Atlantic. He is currently immersed in the show Color sin nombre, inspired by the pictorial legacy of Mark Rothko.
 

Alejandra Hernández, dancing

Alejandra Hernández (Madrid) is a dancer who stands out for her elegance, strength and versatility on stage. She began her training at Los Cabales school and later at Amor de Dios. Since she was very young she has appeared on the bill at the main tablaos in the Spanish capital, such as Casa Patas, Café de Chinitas, Las Carboneras and El Corral de la Morería. She has performed at international festivals in Mexico, France and United States and taken part in the show En klave flamenca together with Manuel Liñán and Alfonso Losa. In 2011 she moved to Paris where he developed her career as a solo artist and presented her montage Tablao at the Sala Flamenco. Alejandra Hernández represents a generation of artists who take flamenco to new places without losing its authenticity.
 

El Almíbar, founded in 2010 in Córdoba by Luis Lucho Carrillo and a group of enthusiasts, began with the aim of creating an intimate local space to preserve the essence of pure flamenco. Considered an oasis for flamenco singing, guitar playing and dancing, it promotes respect, authenticity and a direct connection between artist and audience. Its programme revolves around Intimate Nights – an annual cycle of recitals with established artists and young talents – together with guitar concerts and masterclasses with the Paco Navarro school. With its lively, committed cultural activity, El Almíbar has become established as one of the leading and most unusual flamenco organisations in the city.